Displaced residents welcome signing of peace deal by President Kiir

South Sudanese residents living in displaced camps under UN protection in Juba, Bor, and Malakal towns have welcomed signing of peace deal by President Salva Kiir on Wednesday.

William Tut, camp leader at the UN base in Bor town where more than 2000 people are sheltering, told Radio Tamazuj that the people were happy about a decision taken by President Kiir to sign the IGAD-Plus compromise peace agreement.

He pointed out that they have been waiting for the peace agreement to be signed so they can return back home.

“When the implementation starts we will go outside. The people will not go out within these days because they do not have houses,” he said.

Meanwhile, Martin Kueth, one of the camp leaders in the Juba PoC, said they welcome the signing of the peace agreement by President Kiir.

However, Kueth said the displaced families still fear insecurity within Juba city. He said they will return home when security arraignments are fully implemented by the two warring parties.

Kueth noted that some SPLA soldiers may be unhappy about the peace agreement signed by Kiir.

“We want officials to come and talk to us so that people can go out. So we cannot go out because there is still insecurity outside “he said.

Achuil Mayiik, head of the women’s group at the Malakal PoC, said they welcome the peace agreement signed by President Kiir and opposition leader Riek Machar.

She said they plan to organize a procession to support the recently signed peace deal. Mayiik described President Kiir’s decision to sign the IGAD-Plus compromise peace agreement as “courageous."

Mayiik noted they are now waiting for the implementation of the security arrangements so they can return back homes as soon as possible.

“We are not going to live in the camp anymore. We want this peace to be implemented by the relevant authorities so that we can leave the camp,” she said.

The women’s leader commended the international community and regional leaders for putting pressure on the warring parties to bring an end to the conflict in South Sudan.